Keel laid for Royal Navy’s next-generation nuclear submarine
The ceremony took place in the shadow of a completed section of HMS Dreadnought. (Photo: Royal Navy/Crown copyright)
HMS Dreadnought will be the first of the four Dreadnought class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s. Following its keel-laying ceremony last week, Shephard takes a deeper dive into the class which will eventually replace the Royal Navy's long-standing Vanguard class of boats.
HMS Dreadnought, the lead vessel in the Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought class of nuclear submarines, had its keel-laying ceremony at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard of BAE Systems on 20 March.
While the ceremony was largely symbolic, as the majority of the construction work on the first of the four-vessel class has been completed, it marked an intention to push forward with the replacement of the UK’s Vanguard class submarines which currently carry the country’s nuclear deterrent.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the whole life cost of the four new submarines will be £31 billion (US$42 billion) across the vessels’
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal]()
Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal
The contract would mean the two shipbuilders can collaborate strategically and enhance shipbuilding capabilities in Western Australia.
-
![US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter]()
US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter
The US Navy intends to publish a draft request for proposals in Q2 2026 and conduct an open competition for the supply of new electro-optical and infrared capabilities for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.
-
![What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?]()
What new technologies could be involved in UK Atlantic Bastion initiative?
As new details emerge on the UK Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, three main areas of opportunity for new technology are the focal point.
-
![NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition]()
NATO naval exercises map out future USV requirements but raise questions on acquisition
Uncrewed surface vessels have shifted from a desirable capability to a critical one for navies. But should these systems be bought outright, rented as a service or rapidly built using commercial off-the-shelf components?
